The Crown

Chapter Three

Tobias watched as his new servant hurried away. Guilt washed over him at the recollection of how Lauren had spoken to her, and how he had not intervened sooner.

Embarrassed, Lauren retreated to leave sooner than planned. Tobias arranged for a carriage for her and had a guard escort her out, sending her away. At dinner, he told his parents that the princess was not feeling well and wished to be sent home immediately. Although displeased, Marcus accepted the excuse.

His guilt carried on into dinner. He barely touched his food, poking the contents of his plate with his fork. Why should an interaction with a servant cause me so much trouble?!

He stood up abruptly, causing his father to turn his attention towards him.

"Tobias? Sit down," He asked slowly.

"I..." Tobias drawled before he walked rapidly out of the room.

He wanted to apologize. He stepped forward in attempt, but stopped at the sound of his father's servant rushing behind him.

"My Prince, the King has asked for you to return," he informed.

Reluctantly, Tobias made his way back into the ballroom and to his seat at the table. "I'm sorry, father. I thought I saw something."

"It's fine, son, just sit down and eat," Marcus didn't smile and continued to speak with his wife. The queen sat at her chair and stared at her fingers and drank her thoughts away as her husband complained, as usual.

Their marriage had very visibly turned into nothing short of a contract as the years passed within the castle walls. Evelyn found herself lying awake, wondering how her life came to be as it were - lying beside a man she no longer loved.

Her heart throbbed in remembrance of a past that seemed like centuries ago. Everything was different then. Some say, King Marcus actually had a heart back then.

"So, Tobias," Queen Evelyn looked up at her son, setting down her drink. "What did you think of Lauren?"

"I already told you, mother - I don't like her. She's snobby and stuck up and rude and-"

"Tobias!" Marcus's voice bellowed, quieting everyone in the room. "That's enough. You've already caused enough trouble, but starting to blame innocent princesses and calling them names? What's gotten into you?"

Evelyn looked away and gave an amiable smile to the others around her. Soon enough, the talking resumed and the room became loud with laughter once more. She turned to her husband and sighed. "You did not need to make a scene, Marcus. Don't embarrass us."

"Me? I'm the king. I don't embarrass anyone. It's your son you should be lecturing - he's the one causing this entire disturbance. As a matter of fact," He turned toward Tobias, a sneer across his face. "Dismiss yourself to your room. I do not want to see you anymore. You have ruined today."

Tobias scoffed and shoved himself away from the table. The chair screeched against the wooden floor, alerting the other guests' attention. He stood and threw his napkin on the table before he walked away. With his head high, he left the room and walked down the halls toward his bedroom.

Marcus scoffed at the sight, clenching his fist in his hand. "If I could send him away to military school for all eternity, I would have done it in a heartbeat."

Evelyn glanced at her husband, resisting the urge to respond. She looked up at the guest seated in front of her, who quickly looked away and sparked a conversation with the guest beside them. As her eyes wandered around the dining table, she noticed mimicking behavior from all the guests.